I can think of a few good reasons.. for one thing, because eventually they'll have to pitch in helping the US/JAP/AUS navies in policing the pacific. The chinese don't even have a bluewater navy at the moment, and the Russian navy has been out of the pacific for awhile now.
In case you haven't been keeping up with current event from the last decade, Pirates are back. YArrr matey, the same seaborne terrorists from hundreds of years ago are infesting the sealanes from the SE pacific to the indian ocean. again. Pirates.
who'd a thunk. Real pirates. In the 21st century. Not just a loveable Disney character aftereall.
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Gone are the days when the pirates had eye patches, swords, and were the masters of fast cutters; now it's Raybans, cellular phones and high-speed boats.
Today's ships, with their high-value cargos and small crews to man the ships that carry them, are highly vulnerable to criminal predators in high-speed boats, armed with modern assault weapons, and operating in sea lanes that international carriers must traverse. Pirates are thus able to make surprise attacks on unarmed merchantmen and get away with money and loot.
The end of both colonial controls and latter the cold war has reduced naval presence and capability in regions where piracy has historically flourished. Modern day pirates, well armed and well equipped, are becoming more active in the Pacific and along the coasts of Africa and South America.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...ra/pirates.htm
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